Abstract
A patient with chronic spinal cord injury neurologic level C5 American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale level C was seen for physical therapy treatment for 16 sessions from 4/10/15 to 5/15/15 at a local university. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with several balance tests, a lower extremity endurance test, the 10 Meter Walk Test, the 6 Minute Walk Test, the Physiological Cost Index, Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury, a patient-specific confidence scale for balance, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Measure and a plan of care was established. Main goals for the patient were to improve lower extremity endurance, cardiovascular and gait endurance, functional gait speed, static and dynamic standing balance, balance confidence, independence at gym, and quality of life. Main interventions used were over-ground gait training, endurance training, task-specific training, and functional training. The patient improved endurance, functional gait speed, balance confidence, and quality of life. The patient was discharged to home with a home exercise program.